What are some remedies for high blood pressure using herbs?

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Quick Answer

Several herbs may help lower blood pressure, including basil, cinnamon, cardamom, garlic, hawthorn, celery seed, French lavender and cat's claw, according to Healthline. Herbs can be taken as supplements in concentrated form or whole as a food source. Herbs may interfere with certain medications, especially in large quantities, so patients are advised to consult with a doctor before taking herbs for any medical condition.

Healthline states extract of basil has been shown to briefly lower pressure in patients. The herb is easily obtained fresh at the grocery store or grown in a home garden. Cinnamon may lower blood pressure in diabetes patients. Healthline explains patients given powdered cardamom over several months showed significant reductions in blood pressure numbers.

Garlic relaxes the blood vessels and helps lower blood pressure, according to Healthline. Fresh garlic and supplements are readily available. Hawthorn is an herb from traditional Chinese medicine that supposedly prevents blood clots, lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow. Take hawthorn as a pill, extract or tea.

Celery seed has been used to treat hypertension in China, and this herb goes well with soups, stews and casseroles. French lavender, used in baked goods, is a relaxant that may lower blood pressure. Cat's claw may act on calcium and calcification in blood vessels to reduce hypertension, according to Healthline.

WebMD warns patients that the efficacy of herbal remedies for high blood pressure has not been extensively studied. Some herbal remedies such as licorice, ephedra and yohimbine increase blood pressure rather than lower it.